VERSACIKNITS Sisterhood




Sisterhood

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISSIE KNIGHT

six wearable, modern knits celebrating women

Copyright © 2016 Lori Versaci All rights reserved.

Published by Lori Versaci LLC www.VERSACIKNITS.com ISBN: 978-0-9859962-6-0 (ebook)

The Fibre Co. (left-to-right) Tundra, Road to China Light, Cumbria, Terra, Canopy Fingering

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table of contents dedication ……………..….……… 4 about the collection …….……… 5 Spellman

..…..….….……………. 6

Moore

..….…..….….………… 8

Scripps

..…………….……….. 10

Bryn Mawr …….……….….…….. 12 Barnard

..………….….………. 14

Wellesley

..………….….………. 16

patterns

…….……………….18-38

acknowledgements …………… 39

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dedication I dedicate this collection to my mother, Nancy. She was my first and most enduring role model; the person most responsible for my sense of style. She bought me Pucci underwear (one never knows when one might be in a traffic accident), Marimekko dresses, Lily Pulitzer bathing suits and patent leather over-the-knee boots when I was still in grade school! And she filled my life with art, love, encouragement, unflagging appreciation and support.

I miss her so!

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about the collection I am so excited to share my newest collection, Sisterhood!

This journey began a year ago when Daphne Marinopoulos, the founder and owner of The Fibre Co., suggested a collaboration. As a long time fan of her yarns, I was eager to have the chance to work with each of them. The yarns did not disappoint. What I love about The Fibre Co. yarns is that each has a unique luxe — yet earthy — character that makes the tactile knitting experience special and the final garment exceptional.

Knowing the yarns we would include, I set out to create a selection of designs that embody the VERSACIKNITS aesthetic: clean lines, modern style and durable wearability. Working from a number of ideas amassed over several years, I played with shapes, textures and design elements in hopes of offering practical, flattering fashion for every age and figure.

A tribute to those who forged our path — from women's suffrage to the 2016 election — these designs celebrate all that women have accomplished. The individual patterns are named after renowned women's colleges from across the United States in honor of their collective contribution, and each features one or more of the fabulous The Fibre Co. yarns. Sisterhood includes 6 wearable modern knits (a tunic, a vest, 2 pullovers and 2 cardigans) that look flattering on women from millennial to boomer and of all shapes and sizes.

I am so pleased with the collection and I hope that you are too!

Happy knitting, Lori You can learn more about Daphne and The Fibre Co. on the woolful and curious and handmade podcasts and the Fibre Space blog.

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Spellman Streamlined elegance reminiscent of a shining, Art Deco skyscraper, Spellman takes the traditional tunic and gives it a distinctive modern flare. The tunic's beauty is in the details: deep side vents, architectural fisherman’s ribbing and a crips I-cord neckline edge. Add to these the spectacular hand and drape of The Fibre Co.'s Knightsbridge and its easy wearability, all the features combine to make Spellman a must-knit wardrobe staple.

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Moore Inspired by the Japanese apron, Moore’s stunning geometric backopening adds a sense of surprise and fashion to this deceptively simple pullover. Perfect for showing off The Fibre Co.'s luxurious Road to China Light or any of their other fingering weight yarns (I knit mine in Meadow), it is finished with extra-long sleeves and a beautifully curved neckline. Great over a shirt or dress, Moore is just the thing for meeting up with friends, hanging around the house or going to the farmers market.

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Scripps Transforming a simple eyelet fabric into a trendsetting pullover, Scripps plays with negative space and lends itself to all kinds of creative layering possibilities. An exaggerated curved hemline, loose fitting bodice and 3/4 sleeves all make this a stunning pullover that is as joyful to knit as it is to wear. Shown here in The Fibre Co.'s Canopy Fingering with its beautiful soft shine and drape, Scripps can also be knit using Cumbria Fingering for a slightly stiffer look.

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Bryn Mawr Clean lines with subtle, textural detailing give this classic cardigan just the right touch of modern style. Bryn Mawr can take you from the board room to the tea lounge, or on a long walk on the beach. The subtly textured pin-stripes, that show off the rustic look and soft hand of The Fibre Co.'s Terra, and the rolled finishing details add to the elegance of this tough, assertive and feminine wardrobe mainstay.

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Barnard A 21st century twist on an empire peplum, Barnard is part fashion and part fun! Its flirty skirt, empire waist and crisp details make it a a stylish and flattering choice for virtually every figure. Shown in The Fibre Co.'s Cumbria, it is equally beautifully knit in their Canopy Worsted or Terra. The Waffle Rib, a cousin of Brioche, is enjoyable to knit, and the rolled edging gives the project just the right amount of challenge. A versatile addition to your wardrobe, Barnard can be worn equally well with jeans, a dress or a skirt.

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Wellesley With a distinctively contemporary feel, this versatile, statement piece will make you feel comfortable when curled up on the couch or chic when dressed up for an art opening. With a deceptively simple design and interesting, easy-to-knit textured fabric, Wellesley shows off the beautiful tones of The Fibre Co.'s Tundra yarn. Wellesley knits up in a flash and will be a favorite piece to wrap up in for years to come.

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Spellman

SIZES

YARN

GAUGE

XS (S, M, L)(1X, 2X, 3X)

CHEST (approx 4"/10cm positive

The Fibre Co. Knightsbridge [65% Baby Llama, 25% Merino Wool, 10% Silk; 120 yds per 50g skein]: 10 (11, 12, 13)(14, 16, 17) skeins or

LENGTH

DK weight yarn: approx 1000 (1250, 1375, 1525)(1675, 1825, 1950) yds/ 1000 (1150, 1250, 1400)(1525, 1675, 1775)m

21 sts and 30 rows = 4"/10cm in St st with larger needles (blocked).

18 sts and 40 rows = 4"/ 10cm in Fisherman’s Rib with larger needles (blocked).

Take time to check gauge.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS ease) 34 ¼ (38 ¾, 42 ¼, 46 ¾)(50 ¼, 54 ¾, 58 ¼)"/87 (98.5, 107.5, 118.5) (127.5, 139, 148)cm 30 (30 ½, 31, 31 ½)(32, 32 ½, 33)"/76 (77.5, 78.5, 80)(81.5, 82.5, 84)cm

NEEDLES • Sizes 5 and 6 US (3.75 and 4.0mm) needles or sizes needed to obtain gauge !18

CONSTRUCTION Front and Back are worked separately from the bottom-up and seamed.

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MOORE

SIZES

YARN

NEEDLES/NOTIONS

XS (S, M, L)(1X, 2X, 3X)

• The Fibre Co. Road to China Light [65% alpaca, 15% silk, 10% camel, 10% cashmere; 159 yds/145m per 50g skein]: 7 (8, 9, 10)(11, 12, 13) skeins or • The Fibre Co. Meadow [40% merino, 25% baby llama, 20% silk, 15% linen; 545 yds/100g skein]: 2 (3, 3, 3)(3, 4, 4) skeins or

• Size 4 US (3.25mm) 16"/40cm and 32"/80cm circular and dpns or size needed to obtain gauge • Stitch markers (2 colors)

• Fingering weight yarn: approx 1075 (1200, 1324, 1475)(1625, 1775, 1950) yds/975 (1100, 1200, 1350)(1475, 1625, 1775)m fingering weight yarn

CONSTRUCTION

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST (Approx 4"/20.5cm positive

ease) 34 (38, 42, 46)(50, 54, 58)"/86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117)(127, 137, 147.5)cm

LENGTH 22 ½ (23, 23½, 24)(24 ½, 25, 25 ½)"/ 57 (58.5, 59.5, 61)(62, 63.5, 65)cm

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GAUGE 24 sts and 34 rnds = 4"/10cm in St st (blocked). Take time to check gauge.

Worked in one piece, top-down.

Short rows are used to shape neckline.

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SCRIPPS

SIZES

YARN

NEEDLES

XS (S, M, L)(1X, 2X, 3X)

• The Fibre Co. Canopy Fingering [50% baby alpaca, 30% merino wool, 20% viscose from bamboo; 200 yards/50g skein]: 6 (7, 8, 8)(9, 10, 10) skeins or

• Size 6 US (4.0mm) straight and 16"/40cm circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST (Includes approx 8"/20.5cm positive ease) 38 ½ (41 ½, 46 ½, 49 ½)(54 ½, 57 ½, 62 ½)"/98 (105.5, 118, 125.5)(138.5, 146, 159)cm

BACK LENGTH (at center; longest point) 27 ¾ (28 ¼, 28 ¾, 29 ¼)(29 ¾, 30 ¼, 30 ¾)"/70.5 (72, 73, 74.5) (75.5, 77, 78)cm

• The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering [60% merino wool, 30% masham wool, 10% mohair; 328 yds/100 g skein]: 4 (4, 5, 5)(6, 6, 7) skeins or • Fingering weight yarn: approx 1200 (1300, 1475, 1600)(1750, 18502, 2000)yds/1100 (1200, 1350, 1475)(1600, 1700, 1825)m

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GAUGE 20 sts and 32 rows = 4"/10cm in Bird’s Eye Pattern (blocked).

21 sts and 32 rows = 4"/10cm in St st (blocked).

Take time to check gauge.

CONSTRUCTION Front, Back and Sleeves are worked from the bottom-up and joined. Neckband sts are picked up and worked in-the-round.

FRONT

BACK

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SLEEVE

Bryn Mawr

SIZES

YARN

NEEDLES

XS (S, M, L)(1X, 2X, 3X)

• The Fibre Co. Terra [40% baby alpaca, 40% merino wool, 20% silk; 196 yds/179m per 100g skein]: 5 (6, 7, 7)(8, 8, 9) skeins or

• Size 8 US (5mm) straight and 32"/ 80cm circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST (Approx 4"/10cm positive

ease when buttoned) 33 ¼ (38 , 42 ¾, 46)(49 ¼ , 54, 58 ¾)"/84.5 (96.5, 108.5, 117)(125, 137, 149)cm (buttoned)

• Worsted weight yarn: 1000 (1100, 1200, 1275)(1400, 1525, 1625)yds/925 (1000, 1100, 1175) (1275, 1400, 1475)m

LENGTH

BUTTONS

20 ¼ (20 ¾, 21 ¼, 21 ¼)(21 ¾, 22, 22 ¼)"/51.5 (52.5, 54, 54)(55, 56, 56.5)cm

GAUGE 18 sts and 29 rows = 4"/10cm in Shadow Rib (blocked). Take time to check gauge.

CONSTRUCTION

• 7 (3/8"/12mm) buttons

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Back, Fronts and Sleeves are worked bottom-up, then sewn together. After seams are sewn, rolled bands picked up and worked.

FRONT

BACK

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SLEEVE

Barnard

SIZES

YARN

GAUGE

XS (S, M, L)(1X, 2X, 3X)

• The Fibre Co. Cumbria [60% merino wool, 30% masham wool, 10% mohair; 238 yds per 100g skein]: 5 (6, 6, 7)(7, 8, 8) skeins or

18 sts and 24 rows = 4"/10cm in St st (blocked) on larger needle.

16 sts and 38 rows = 4"/10cm in Waffle Rib (blocked) on smaller needle. Take time to check gauge.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST (Approx 4"/10cm positive ease) 34 (38, 42, 46)(50, 54, 58)"/86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117)(127, 137, 147.5)cm (buttoned)

LENGTH 24 (24 ½, 25, 25½)(26, 26 ½, 27)"/61 (62, 63.5, 65)(66, 67.5, 68.5)cm

BUTTONS • 3 (3/8"/12mm) buttons

• The Fibre Co. Canopy Worsted [50% baby alpaca, 30% merino wool, 20% viscose from bamboo; 200 yds per 100g skein]: 6 (6, 7, 8) (9, 9, 10) skeins or • The Fibre Co. Terra [40% baby alpaca, 40% merino wool, 20% silk; 196 yds per 100g skein]: 6 (7, 7, 8)(9, 9, 10) skeins or • Worsted weight yarn: 1075 (1200, 1325, 1450)(1550, 1675, 1800)yds/ 975 (1100, 1200, 1325)(1425, 1525, 1650)m !26

NEEDLES • Size 7 and 8 US (4.5 and 5mm) 32"/80cm or desired length circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge

CONSTRUCTION Body is worked in one piece to underarm, then Back and Fronts are divided and worked. Sleeves are worked separately and sewn in. Front/Neckband is then picked up and worked.

BODY

SLEEVE

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Wellesley

SIZES

YARN

GAUGE

XS (S, M, L)(1X, 2X, 3X)

• The Fibre Co. Tundra [60% baby alpaca, 30% merino wool, 10% silk; 120 yds/100g skein]: 7 (8, 9, 10)(11, 13, 14) skeins or

14 sts and 20 rows = 4"/10cm in St st on smaller needles (blocked).

14 sts and 20 rows = 4"/10cm in Criss Cross st on larger needles (blocked).

Take time to check gauge.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS CHEST (Approx 10"/25cm positive

ease) 39 ½ (43 ¾, 47 ¼, 50 ¾)(55, 60 ¼, 63 ½)"/100.5 (111, 120, 129)(139.5, 153, 161.5)cm (with 3 ½"/9cm overlapping on each Front panel; combined overlap 7"/18cm)

• Bulky weight yarn: 800 (875, 1050, 1150)(1300, 1500, 1675)yds/725 (800, 950, 1050)(1200, 1375, 1525)m

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS • Sizes 10 and 10.5 US (6.0 and 6.5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge • Stitch holder or waste yarn !28

CONSTRUCTION Fronts and Back are worked from the bottom up and joined.

LEFT FRONT

RIGHT FRONT

BACK

Shawl Pin: Mod Shawl Pin by Jul Designs

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acknowledgements Thank you to the women who made this possible‌ Daphne Marinopoulos, owner of The Fibre Co., who planted the seeds for this collection and provided support throughout.

Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn, owners of Kelbourne Woolens, who helped me pick yarns and continue to encourage and promote.

Charlotte Quiggle, technical editor extraordinaire, who always helps improve my technique and turns impossible to understand scribble into accessible directions.

The creative team: Chrissie Knight for her amazing photography, Erin Ellis and Sarah Gaitens for their beauty and humor while modeling, Elizabeth Miko and Amalia Versaci for their support, organization, design aesthetic, writing skills and never ending encouragement.

And a fantastic group of test knitters from ravelry: alliel,

AnnaM, bettyla, bommeline, Bugaboo1, coollinda, craftydana, dollyq, dragknit, DonnaRHayes, Dyann, EllenSellsNJ, emmyknits, flowerlady, Gilliangcl, JaimeNC, jesi, Judges4, Jude55, quiltr2, KnitMeres, knittyfiend, knittily, ldelbridge, masbeck, muffinknits, pixiesocknitter, sewmanygifts, sheeshknits, sherylerickson, simplyamy, thlang, weissyea, winemakerssister, wisdomqueen, yarnplaycafe and ZombMom.

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$28.00 !32